1“Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

2What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

3“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

4But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

6Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

8Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

10He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

11Won’t his majesty make you afraid and his dread fall on you?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defences are defences of clay.

13“Be silent! Leave me alone, that I may speak.
Let come on me what will.

14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

15Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope.
Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

16This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.

17Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

18See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

19Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would hold my peace and give up the spirit.

20“Only don’t do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face:

21withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid.

22Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.

23How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

24Why do you hide your face, and consider me your enemy?

25Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

26For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths.
You set a bound to the soles of my feet,

28though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.